An Oklahoma Senator's bill designed to block President Biden's COVID-19 vaccine mandates for some workers will not move forward.
Senator James Lankford introduced the 'Stop Vaccine Mandates Act' in late September, after Biden announced a vaccine mandate for all federal workers and contractors. On Wednesday, while speaking on the Senate floor, Lankford said the order is putting people in a difficult spot.
"There are Americans in my great state that are now having to decide if they're going to leave a career they love, serving their neighbors or if they're going to be compelled to take a vaccine risk just because the President has said, ‘My patience is wearing thin," said Lankford.
Lankford also criticized the rollout of the plan, which he says has left many workers searching for answers as deadlines near.
"It's been six weeks of chaos and unanswered questions, and this federal government is about to fire thousands of federal employees because they did not bend to their will," said Lankford. "Many federal employees that asked for medical exemption and were told no, literally that brought a letter from their doctor and were told no. Individuals that asked for religious accommodation and were told no, they will not get it."
Lankford's 'Stop Vaccine Mandates Act' was blocked in the Senate on Wednesday afternoon.
You can hear his full floor speech here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wImgcPPD8UU.
For more local news delivered straight to your inbox sign up for our daily newsletter by clicking here.